Mr Shane Powell

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Research Interests

 My research interests span mental health, social care, criminology, and applied psychology, with a focus on how systems, policies, and front-line practices impact access, engagement, and outcomes. I have experience with realist-informed and mixed-methods research, with a strong interest in transitions, service design, and the lived experiences of individuals navigating complex systems of care. My work frequently engages with participatory and policy-relevant approaches to evaluation, aiming to generate insights that are both theoretically rigorous and practically applicable.

Research Experience:

• CAMHS–AMHS transitions and emergent adult mental health

• Parental advocacy and peer mentoring in statutory services

• Social care access and participation for care-experienced young people

• Realist and critical realist evaluation approaches

• Mixed-methods research and applied qualitative design

Current Projects

PhD Research – Cardiff University

Understanding the Transition from CAMHS to AMHS for Emergent Adults in Wales
This doctoral research explores structural, organisational, and experiential barriers facing young people aged 18–25 as they navigate mental health transitions. The project involves a four-phase mixed-methods design: a scoping review, national service mapping, in-depth case studies, and policy analysis. It is grounded in a realist framework to develop a context-sensitive programme theory.

Parental Advocacy Research – CASCADE, Cardiff University

Worked across multiple HCRW, Nuffield, and NYAS-funded evaluations of parental advocacy schemes in Wales and Ireland. Projects include the evaluation of the POPS mentoring scheme and Barnardo’s Parental Advocacy and Information Service in Ireland. Contributions include evaluation design, qualitative interviews, focus groups, and co-authoring peer-reviewed publications.

Centre for Criminology, USW

Supported the evaluation of the Grand Avenues Project in partnership for HMPPS. Other work includes contribution to reviews of CCTV use in homicide investigations, and the Cyfannol-led assertive outreach programme for domestic abuse survivors. Played a key role in research design, literature synthesis, and reporting.

Urban Planning – School of Geography and Planning, Cardiff University

Contributing to a historical land value capture project using OCR technologies, Python, and Azure tools. This involves analysing archival policy records and supporting database and app development for future research use.

Recent Publications and Outputs

• Powell, S. et al. (2024). Understanding how and under what circumstances parental advocates support parents to participate in decision-making: A scoping review. Child Care in Practice.

• Evans, L. et al. (2024). “They seem to listen more now I have an advocate”: A study into the implementation of parental advocacy in Wales. Journal of Children's Services.

• Powell, S. et al. (2024). Chapter 9: The Role of Peer Parental Advocacy in Child and Family Social Work. In: Participatory Approaches in Child and Family Social Work.

• Co-Author (2024). Chapter 12: Digital Platforms in Social Work. In: Participatory Approaches in Child and Family Social Work.

Why This Research Matters

My work aims to generate research that is both theoretically rigorous and directly relevant to practice and policy. Whether mapping mental health transitions, evaluating advocacy schemes, or analysing historical policy.

Thesis

Understanding the Transition from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) to Adult Mental Health Services (AMHS) for Emergent Adults Aged 18–25 in Wales

The purpose of this thesis is to examine the systemic, organisational, and experiential barriers facing emergent adults (aged 18–25) as they transition from CAMHS to AMHS in Wales. The study aims to generate evidence-informed recommendations to improve service design, enhance continuity of care, and reduce the number of young people who fall through the gap during this critical developmental period.

This mixed-methods study is structured in four key phases: a scoping review of existing literature; surveying and mapping exercise of CAMHS and AMHS transition practices across Wales’ seven health boards; a series of in-depth qualitative case studies involving young people, parents/carers, and practitioners; and a policy and procedural analysis aligned with best-practice frameworks. Underpinned by a realist epistemology and realist-informed evaluation logic, the study seeks to develop a context-sensitive understanding of what works, for whom, under what circumstances, and why.

Preliminary findings indicate significant variability in transition protocols and a range of structural and interpersonal barriers — including age-based service thresholds, resource constraints, inter-service communication failures, and service-user disempowerment. The analysis identifies a need for greater flexibility in eligibility criteria, improved co-production of transition planning with young people and families, and the development of hybrid or intermediary services tailored to the needs of this cohort.

The thesis will present a refined programme theory and a set of policy and practice recommendations intended to support the development of more effective and developmentally appropriate mental health transitions for emergent adults in Wales.

Funding sources

Student Finance Wales Funded

Supervisors

Graham Moore

Director, DECIPHer